Rick Cortese wrote:
Mark Newcomb wrote:

I have a question that I would appreciate an answer to from anyone who
has a clue.

My question is this: can you have 2 generators (or alternators)
charging the same battery bank at the same time? For example, if I
have 2 wind generators will they both charge my house bank
simultaneously? Or, can only one generator/alternator be in use at
one time?


IMO: Could cause problems. It would be safer if you put at least one
blocking diode or rectifier in the circuit. Maybe a selenium rectifiers
that is rated at current qs to handle the generators output like those
used in motorcycles.

There is no problem that I know of. My boat (and several hundred
sister ships) has twin engine that feed a house bank with no diodes,
etc. In addition, many have solar panels and/or wind generators that
are always connected. Further, they use a combiner to also charge two
starting batteries, and it all magically works.

That said, there are three regulators that are trying to sense the
battery voltage and will see the other Voltage sources. I have little
problem with this, because the most aggressive regulator (i.e. the
highest Voltage) is on the larger alternator. The small alternator
normally shuts off and is hardly used - its still has the original
belt after 6 seasons. I don't really want to get the full 100 Amps
when I'm powering, since that overloads my small Yanmar 2GM. And I
don't expect much from the solar system while an engine is running.